Quick definitions from WordNet (appear)▸ verb:seem to be true, probable, or apparent ("It appears that the weather in California is very bad")▸ verb:present oneself formally, as before a (judicial) authority ("He had to appear in court last month")▸ verb:come into sight or view ("He suddenly appeared at the wedding")▸ verb:come into being or existence, or appear on the scene ("Homo sapiens appeared millions of years ago")▸ verb:be issued or published ("Did your latest book appear yet?")▸ verb:appear as a character on stage or appear in a play, etc. ("Gielgud appears briefly in this movie")▸ verb:give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect ("This appears to be a very difficult problem")
▸ Also see appear